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What really makes a music scene? You know–those certain reasons that make you put on a jacket and promptly head for the El or call a cab just to get there in time. That’s what Chicago Innovative Electronic Music (CIEM) and subVariant are asking via their Crowdsourced 1.0 event: What is it about electronic music that people want to see live?

It really is a heady question. But, CIEM & subVariant’s preliminary answer seems to be: “That which is “crowdsourced.”

To the unfamiliar, “crowdsourced” means that the content that is the most popular “rises to the top” via votes–as in, the crowd chooses what’s the most relevant. On Digg.com (a popular news and entertainment aggregator) the front page is filled with only the content that has been voted up through “diggs.” Threadless is also a good example: only the designs that are voted hottest actually make it to production.

On April 10, CIEM will test their theory in the electronic music world. Vote on mixes from local electronic music artisians to fill the four slots in the show that runs from 7pm to 10pm. And when you show up…it will be “crowdsourced.” Meaning, everyone there was voted into their slot.

Sort of like it’s analog cousin, Open Channel is an non-curated musician’s showcase in a supportive, relaxed environment, except it showcases electronic music, either through DJing or Live PAs. You will get 20 minutes to show off what you do musically, and then listen to other people doing the same thing.

There are 12 slots open. The first 12 people who RSVP and pay will be guaranteed a slot. Playing order will be determined on t…he date of the performance.

You are also absolutely welcome to bring friends, or just come as a spectator!

There is a suggested donation of $5.

TECH STUFF:

* You will be plugging in to an open channel on the mixer with one RCA cable from your gear. We will have 2 people set up on the table and then use the mixer to fade between people when they are ready to go, without dead air. Please try to stick to the 20 minute limit so everyone gets a chance to play.

* There are no monitors, but the room is not huge and the space is carpeted.

* Please note that there is not a lot of room at the front of house, so try to keep your gear footprint to the smallest you can manage (ie: there is no room to set up a full drum kit, so don’t bring it). The ideal setup would be a laptop plus one or two pieces of outboard gear / MIDI controllers.

* You will be plugging into a Beringer mixer so you will need to have L/R 1/4″ mono plugs out

Scroll to MULTIKULTI on the call box to get buzzed in and go up to the 4th floor. The space is an art + media collective and gallery. BYOB.

Text / call me personally at (312) 869-4647.

Please say OPEN CHANNEL at the buzzer or door so you can be directed to the right room. See you soon!